Another nod from Kontos. “I would guess very large access tunnels covered with camouflaged doors of some kind. At least one, maybe more.”
“Hidden ways in and out of their base.” Marphissa smiled admiringly at Kontos. “That’s consistent with what Black Jack’s ships learned of the enigmas. They hide everything. I am impressed, Kapitan. How did you think of that?”
He actually appeared to be embarrassed by her praise. “I just thought, if there are insects underground like ants, you can always see how they get in and out. And buried human facilities as well. But we can’t see any accesses to the enigma base that we knew was being built. So…”
Marphissa nodded, eyeing the planet on her display. “Warships, maybe, already in deeply buried hangars, ready to leap out as human ships pass by. But if that is their plan, they won’t strike when the Syndicate gets there. They’ll wait for them to pass and plan to hit us or Imallye’s ships after the main enigma force has wiped out the Syndicate flotilla.”
“Is it that certain?” Kontos asked in a low voice. “The destruction of the Syndicate flotilla?”
“Yes,” Marphissa said without mercy. “You have seen the enigmas in combat, how fast and maneuverable their warships are, and how they attack without letup or concern for their own survival. The commanders of the Syndicate flotilla’s units do not have the benefit of having seen the enigmas in action, but even if they had it would make no difference. They know that. The Syndicate is badly outnumbered.”
“Why didn’t they run?” Kontos asked. “I respect that they turned to fight, but—”
“There must be a powerful reason. Perhaps we’ll find out what it is before the Syndicate forces are wiped out.”
There were times when it made no sense to try to manipulate others. When the truth should be laid out plainly. When an appeal to reason was infinitely better than any mind game or play on emotion.
This was obviously not such a time.
Gwen Iceni had gone to her stateroom aboard the battleship, the sort of grandiose quarters that suited a Syndicate CEO and thus were more than adequate for a star system president. She sat back in the large, comfortable chair that dominated one corner of the suite, resting her chin on one hand as she thought. Just to one side floated a display showing the entirety of Iwa Star System and the four groups of warships vying for control of it.
It was ironic, she thought, that a star system so poor in resources that the Syndicate hadn’t bothered to defend it properly was now being fought over by four separate powers who all wanted it.
Of course, Imallye only wanted the star system because she thought that Iceni wanted it also.
The enigmas wanted it as a springboard to begin wiping out the human presence.
The Syndicate wanted it back because someone else had taken it.
And herself? Iceni didn’t want Iwa. She just wanted Iwa Star System to be in the hands of someone who did not pose a threat to Midway Star System. Unfortunately, everyone else involved was a threat to Midway.
An ideal solution would have the enigmas, the Syndicate flotilla, and Imallye’s forces annihilating each other and leaving Midway’s flotilla unscathed.
No. That wasn’t an ideal solution. Iceni scowled at the image of Iwa’s star. I don’t want to have to worry about defending Iwa when I have my hands full defending Midway. But I also don’t need a vacuum here. I don’t want a vacuum here. I need Iwa in the hands of someone I can work with, so they can be responsible for keeping the enigmas out of human space at this location.
But I sure as hell can’t work with the enigmas even though Black Jack said they had political divisions among themselves. And the Syndicate doesn’t play well with others.
Which leaves Imallye, who hates me. I have to convince her that she can hate me and still work with me.
If Imallye learned anything from the Syndicate she must have learned how to work with people she hated. Everybody had to learn that survival skill.
Iceni composed herself, trying to look concerned but confident, mentally rehearsed what she wanted to say, then touched the message control. “Granaile Imallye, this is President Gwen Iceni. We have met before, some years ago. I freely admit that I have done you and your family a great harm. I was fooled into accusing your father of a crime, an accusation that not only resulted in his death but my own internal exile. I cannot ever adequately compensate you for my action, and I am aware that my own expression of deep regret is unlikely to bring you any real comfort.”
Iceni firmed her voice and her expression as she continued. “But our personal quarrel is of little importance at the moment. Every human in this region of space faces a serious threat from a foe who has no interest in coexistence with humanity. I understand that you have expressed skepticism regarding the existence of the enigmas. The warships you captured from the Syndicate possessed the security software needed to scrub enigma worms from your sensor systems, and you can now see for yourself that the enigmas are real. Soon, long before my flotilla can reach them, the enigmas here will attack the Syndicate flotilla without mercy. I know this because I have seen them in action before. They will not hesitate to die rather than allow us to win or to learn anything about them. Since you have seen them, they will pursue you until they have destroyed every ship you possess and every trace of humanity in every star system to which you flee.
“Your vendetta with me has endured for more than a decade. It can wait a little longer, until we deal with this threat to everyone.
“Or, you can choose to attack me as my forces attempt to deal with the aliens. If I am victorious against them, I will not hesitate to destroy you afterward. If they defeat my forces, they will not hesitate to destroy you next.”
Iceni gestured with one hand, a reaching out and a casting away in one movement. “The choice is yours. As you have doubtless realized by now, you are no longer responsible for just your own welfare. You have many men and women depending upon you to lead them well and lead them wisely. You have many lives depending upon your decisions. You and I can resolve our issues once the threat to those who follow us is dealt with. Or you can be as foolish and stupid as I was over a decade ago and do what your enemies want you to do.
“For the people, Gwen Iceni, out.”
She sat back again, satisfied that there would be no doubt in Imallye’s mind that Iceni was here and that she was aboard the Midway.
Go ahead, Iceni thought. Chase me. Because I’m on a warship headed straight for the enigmas, and if you follow me you’ll find yourself mixed up in a fight with the alien armada whether you want it or not.
And then, maybe, you’ll forget about vengeance on me long enough to help us stop the enigmas, and finally be the woman your father surely wanted you to be.
The situation was complicated, but Iceni was pleased with herself as she returned to the bridge to make an appearance. It wouldn’t do for the president to be lounging in her stateroom while events were still developing.
As she sat down, Mercia gave her a troubled look, then spoke cautiously. “Madam President, there is something I do not understand.”
“What is that, Kapitan?” Iceni asked, certain that she could easily deal with whatever question Mercia had.
“Why did the Syndicate commit these forces to retaking Iwa instead of retaking Moorea or the other star systems that Imallye has taken from them?”
“Because—” Iceni began, then halted speaking as the implications of the question sank home. Why hadn’t the Syndicate hit Imallye first, then moved on to reoccupy Iwa?